Gibbes tight-lipped on Schmidt succession stakes

Jonno Gibbes has refused to be drawn on whether or not he is interested in succeeding Joe Schmidt at Leinster if the latter’s coronation as Ireland’s head coach is given the expected thumbs up by the IRFU.

Gibbes has been forwards coach at the province since 2008. He has played a major part in capturing three Heineken Cups under Michael Cheika and Schmidt after a playing career in which he featured for Waikato, the Chiefs and New Zealand Gibbes, who claimed he had not considered the possibility of a promotion, was far more forthcoming on another matter perched on everyone’s lips this week: namely, who will start at ten against Biarritz in Saturday’s Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final.

Ian Madigan delivered a string of virtuoso performances at out-half for Leinster during Sexton’s lengthy absence as a result of Six Nations duties and injury before the latter returned for Sunday’s RaboDirect win away to Zebre.